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Tuesday, April 19, 2022

Ka‘ū News Briefs, Tuesday, April 19, 2022

Rainbow frames the snow as Ānuenue (a rainbow) arches above Pele's Kīlauea Volcano and
Poliahu's Mauna Loa volcano on Sunday morning. NPS photo by Janice Wei

PUBLIC HEARINGS TO ESTABLISH THE MILOLI'I COMMUNITY-BASED SUBSISTENCE FISHING AREA ARE WEDNESDAY, April 20, online at 3 p.m. and in person at 5 p.m. at the Miloli'i Community Outdoor Pavilion located at 89-1200 Miloli'i Road. The hearing will be held by the state Department of Land & Natural Resources as it considers adopting Administrative Rules to establish the Fishing Area. Read about the plan at http://kaunewsbriefs.blogspot.com/2022_02_27_archive.html. See the plan at https://www.kalanihale.com/_files/ugd/d88e72_3064b82fde054c17bfcd2df0c49af04f.pdf
    Kaimi Kaupiko, of the community organization Kalanihale, said, "The time has come for this once in a lifetime moment as the community of Miloli'i prepares for the public hearing on April 20 @ the Miloli'i Pavilion. We share this for all those who want to reaffirm their commitment to preserving and protecting their kuleana as stewards of their ‘aina."
    According to the DLNR public announcement, the aim is "to ensure long-term sustainable populations of fish and other marine species and to reaffirm and perpetuate fishing practices that were customarily and traditionally exercised for Native Hawaiian subsistence, culture, or religion along the southwest coast of Hawai'i Island."
    The proposed Community-Based Subsistence Fishing Area would extend from Pa'akai Point at Kipahoehoe in the north to Kauna in the south, from the shoreline out to the 100-fathom depth contour. The Fishing Area would include the following sub-zones: the Opelu Traditional Management Zone, the Pu'uhonua Papa, the Pakuikui Rest Area, Puakaia Miloli'i, the Pu'uhonua Honomalino, the Pu'uhonua Kapua, and the Pu'uhonua Manuka.
    The proposed rules would establish bag limits, size limits, seasonal closures, and/or gear restrictions for a'ama crab, kole, opihi, pakuikui, uhu, ula, and u'u within the CBSFA; prohibit the take of marine life for aquarium purposes within the entire CBSFA; establish additional restrictions on certain activities and species within the designated subzones;
DLNR map shows proposed protected areas for the Miloli'i Community-Based
Subsistence Fishing Area.
provide an exception allowing vessels in possession of restricted gear or species to traverse through the CBSFA as long as they remain in active transit; identify authorized administrative, criminal, and civil penalties for violations of HAR chapter 13-60.XX; and provide notice of the State’s authority to utilize civil asset forfeiture as an enforcement tool for violations of HAR chapter 13-60.XX.
    All interested persons may view the online Public Hearing on YouTube at this link: www.youtube.com/channel/UCpGVbR8IMi1hnPksQeSVUZA. To be put on the list for live video or phone testimony, email request to DLNR.Aquatics@hawaii.gov. Include email, full name and phone number. A confirmation email will be sent with instructions and the meeting link and call-in phone number.
    For the public hearing at Miloli'i Pavilion, DLNR invites all interested persons to attend in person and provide oral testimony by writing their names on the testimony sign-up sheet at the public hearing.
    Persons can also mail or email written testimony by May 6, 2022 to the Division of Aquatic Resources, 1151 Punchbowl Street, Room 330, Honolulu, HI 96813. Email DLNR.Aquatics@hawaii.gov.

To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see www.facebook.com/kaucalendar/.See latest print edition at www.kaucalendar.com. See upcoming events at https://kaunewsbriefs.blogspot.com/2022/03/upcoming-events-for-kau-and-volcano

A FATAL ACCIDENT AT THE ENTRANCE TO HAWAI'I VOLCANOES NATIONAL PARK took one life this morning. The National Park Service reported that A 21-year-old man lost his life after his motorcycle collided with a small SUV at the intersection of Highway 11 and the entrance to Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park Tuesday just before 8 a.m.
  The motorcycle was heading north on Highway 11 towards Hilo when he crashed into the SUV that was turning left into the park. The 65-year-old female driver of the SUV was the sole occupant of the vehicle and was not injured in the crash.
    The accident closed both lanes of Highway 11 near the park entrance for several hours. Hawai'i Police Department and park law enforcement officers are conducting an investigation. 
    Police are asking anyone who may have witnessed the incident or has information to contact Officer Jerome Duarte at 808-961-2329 or via email Jerome.Duarte@HawaiiCounty.gov. Tipsters who prefer to remain anonymous may call Crime Stoppers at 808-961-8300 in Hilo.
    Identification of the victim is pending notification of family.
    A Civil Defense Road Closure message for Tuesday, April 19th was issued at 8:30 a.m. Hawai'i Police Department reported Highway 11 closed in both directions in Ka‘ū near the 28 Mile Marker. There was no detour available. Motorists were asked to use Saddle Road or Hwy 19 during the work of first responders and the police investigation. 
    The Park put up a message on its social media, saying, "CLOSURE ALERT: Highway 11 and Park Entrance Closed for Next Several Hours Due to Traffic Fatality. The park entrance and Hwy 11 near mm 28 are closed in both directions due to a traffic fatality. No alternate route. Closure will last several hours while HPD conducts an investigation."

To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see www.facebook.com/kaucalendar/.See latest print edition at www.kaucalendar.com. See upcoming events at https://kaunewsbriefs.blogspot.com/2022/03/upcoming-events-for-kau-and-volcano
   
SHAM FREITAS OF KAʻŪ IS TARGET OF POLICE. Hawaiʻi Island police are asking for the public’s assistance with locating 42-year-old Sham Freitas of Ka‘ū, who is wanted on several outstanding bench warrants and for questioning in connection with other criminal investigations.
Sham Freitas is wanted by
Hawai'i Island police.
   Freitas is described as 6 feet 2 inches tall, 200 pounds, with black hair and brown eyes. He is known to frequent Nā‘ālehu and the Hawaiian Ocean View Estates subdivision.
   The Hawai‘i Police Department would also like to remind the public that harboring or concealing a wanted person could result in criminal charges being filed against the person who harbored or concealed the wanted person.
   Anyone with information on Freitas’ whereabouts is encouraged to contact Detective Donovan Kohara at (808) 326-4646 ext. 267, or via email at donovan.kohara@hawaiicounty.gov. They may also contact the police department’s non-emergency number at (808) 935-3311.
  Citizens who wish to remain anonymous can make an anonymous tip through Crime Stoppers at (808) 961-8300 and be eligible for a reward of up to $1,000. Crime Stoppers does not record any calls or subscribe to caller ID.

To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see www.facebook.com/kaucalendar/.See latest print edition at www.kaucalendar.com. See upcoming events at https://kaunewsbriefs.blogspot.com/2022/03/upcoming-events-for-kau-and-volcano

HELPING KEIKI TO LEARN ABOUT DRINKING WATER is the aim of the County of Hawai'i Department of Water Supply's Earth Day effort. On Earth Day April 22, Department of Water Supply will launch a virtual education program with tools and resources for keiki to learn about their drinking water, and the importance of protecting its quality and quantity.
Meilli O'Loughlin won first place among second graders last
year in the Keiki Water Conservation Poster Contest, now
open for entries for the 2022 competition through April 29.
    Students, teachers, and parents are encouraged to visit www.hawaiidws.org to explore the new Water Education At-Home Toolkit, offering free, age-appropriate materials that can be downloaded and used remotely. The toolkit features water-themed word searches, activity books, and a volunteer pledge to end water waste. Starting April 22, all those exercises and more will be available by clicking the "Community" drop-down menu on the website's homepage.
    A Department of Water Supply statement says it "welcomes everyone to enjoy the fun activities to better understand why safe drinking water is our most precious resource and how to become stewards of it. Taking shorter showers, fixing leaking faucets, and
Basil Au won first place among fifth graders last
year in the Keiki Water Conservation Poster Contest, now
open for entries for the 2022 competition through April 29.

turning off the tap while brushing your teeth are easy ways to reduce wasting water. The online materials also stress the need to preserve and protect the quality of the island's fresh water sources. Effective strategies include keeping trash out of rivers, not dumping oil or other hazardous materials into the ground, and drinking water from the tap rather than out of plastic bottles that can end up littering roadsides."
    Celebrated annually since 1970, Earth Day is held to increase public awareness of the world's environmental problems and is credited for having helped establish the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Today, Earth Day is observed in 192 countries and coordinated by the nonprofit www.earthday.org/. This year's theme is Invest in Our Planet.
    For more information or assistance, please contact Jason Armstrong, DWS Information and Education Specialist, at jarmstrong@hawaiidws.org or (808) 961-8050.
Nevaeh Kaipo took first place among third graders last year in the Keiki Water Conservation Poster Contest, which is open
 for entries for 2022 through April 29.

KEIKI WATER CONSERVATION POSTER CONTEST DEADLINE is Friday, April 29. Student artists can enter their water-themed artworks in the 4th Annual Keiki Water Conservation Poster Contest held by the Department of Water Supply, County of Hawai‘i.
   The contest is open to Big Island students from keiki attending kindergarten through fifth grade. There is no charge to enter.
    Student artists are encouraged to submit an original artwork illustrating this year’s theme of Be a Superhero – Waste Zero on a flat, 11- by 17-inch poster. Any medium may be used, except for three-dimensional renderings, chalk, charcoal and oil-based crayon. No computer graphics or photographs will be accepted.
   Each entry should include a completed entry form available at www.hawaiidws.org, via email by contacting dws@hawaiidws.org or by calling DWS weekdays at 961-8050. 
Reese Makaimoku took first place among fourth graders last
 year in the Keiki Water Conservation Poster Contest, now
open for entries for the 2022 competition through April 29.
    Entries should be mailed to DWS in Hilo or dropped off in designated bins at DWS’ offices in Hilo, Kona or Waimea by Friday, April 29. Address locations and additional contest rules are listed on the attached entry form and at www.hawaiidws.org.
    The free contest aims to highlight the importance of reducing water waste and protecting the island’s drinking water supplies. It challenges keiki to utilize artistic ways of conserving our most precious resource – safe drinking water. Conservation ideas, including the video Save Water to Help the Earth, are posted under the Conservation link at www.hawaiidws.org.
    Prizes will be mailed to the 1st and 2nd place entrants from each grade level K-5, as chosen by a panel of judges, for a maximum total of 12 winners island-wide. Winning entries will be announced at a future Water Board meeting.

To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see www.facebook.com/kaucalendar/.See latest print edition at www.kaucalendar.com. See upcoming events at https://kaunewsbriefs.blogspot.com/2022/03/upcoming-events-for-kau-and-volcano

NA'ALEHU THEATRE PRESENTS A LIVE-STREAM KANIKAPILA this
Saturday, April 23, continuing the legacy of the late Cyril Pahinui and honoring his father, the late Blah Pahinui. The virtual event includes eight hours of entertainment, with a presentation of the Skylark Award. Also included is a How Da Stew cooking segment. Viewing is free and is supported by T-shirt sales and donations, as well as a grant from the Hawai'i Tourism Authority. The 15th annual Kanikapila is organized by Pahinui Productions. For more info and the live stream, visit Naalehutheatre.org.

To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see www.facebook.com/kaucalendar/.See latest print edition at www.kaucalendar.com. See upcoming events at https://kaunewsbriefs.blogspot.com/2022/03/upcoming-events-for-kau-and-volcano



See The Ka'u Calendar April edition at 
www.kaucalendar.com,
on newsstands and in the mail.